by Beth Alvarez
“Yes, sir,” Kade murmured.
“That’s all for now, Colton. Mind how far the information goes.” Thaddeus paused, and Kade could have sworn he heard a grin in the man’s voice when he spoke again. “Do tell your girlfriend I said hello.”
Grimacing, Kade hung up. He stared at the floor for a time, turning it all over in his head. Hunting a fellow vampire was one thing. Hunting one with implicated ties to a Keeper’s death was unprecedented. All of a sudden, the rewards were the last thing on his mind.
If du Coudray had a hand in Keeper Noble’s death—and had someone hiding that fact inside the Keeper offices—then there was a real possibility that, for the first time, Kade was in over his head.
“Kade?” Felicity prompted softly, creeping up beside him. Her face was pinched with worry.
He swallowed, willing himself to look confident. “Thaddeus says hello.”
Her expression didn’t change.
“You still got that list of farms that lost livestock?” he asked, stuffing the paper with his Keeper’s cell number into his pocket. “We still got a lot of work to do.”
* * *
“So what are you not telling me?” Felicity tried to sound patient. She would have preferred to scowl, but she suspected it wouldn’t get her anywhere. The old adage about catching flies was true, sometimes. Especially when it came to dealing with men.
Kade spared her a quick glance before returning his eyes to the road. “What do you mean?” He sounded innocent, but the way his jaw tightened gave him away.
“About your conversation with Thaddeus. I find it hard to believe he wants us walking farms to look for more evidence.” They hadn’t gotten very far with it, either. The owners of the little farm they’d stopped by were friendly enough, allowing them to explore their property, but there was nothing to see that they hadn’t already seen at Marshall McCullough’s ranch. The whole thing felt like wasted effort to her, but he’d insisted they see it through.
She sighed, rubbing warmth back into her hands. “We’re at a dead end, aren’t we?”
“For the moment,” Kade said, chagrined. “Right now, Thaddeus has nothing else for us. He said he can get us a lead, but it’s gonna take some time.”
“I imagine there’s a lot of paperwork that goes along with finding rule-breaking vampires, too.” Her tone took a sarcastic twist without her intending it, but she bit her tongue to keep from apologizing. She appreciated that he’d taken time to tell her more about his history. That it happened now, after she’d left home to join him on this crazy hunt, still left her annoyed.
“Speaking of that . . .” He restrained a frown. “I think I should take you home. Hunting monsters is one thing, but I don’t think gettin’ you tangled up in hunting vampires is a good idea.”
Her heart sank. “I thought we had a deal.”
“We did, and the deal was you helping me find a chupacabra. It had nothing to do with rogue vampires, cattle rustling rings, and who knows what else. I just . . .” His breath caught and a pained look flitted over his face before he could stop it. “I don’t want you endin’ up hurt, Filly.”
She understood his concern, but it still rankled. Crossing her arms, she sank back in the passenger seat. “I’m not as fragile as you think.”
Kade sighed, exasperated. “I didn’t say you were fragile. I just don’t want to put you at risk. I can handle a monster on my own just fine, I wasn’t worried about it hurtin’ you. But this is a whole different ball game, and it’s got nothing to do with your abilities. It’s got to do with mine.”
She tried not to let him see how that startled her. “Thaddeus said you were the best hunter he’s had.”
“I am,” he replied, and she struggled not to laugh at his lack of modesty. “But huntin’ a critter is one thing, and hunting a rogue vampire is one thing, and getting caught up in a ring of criminal activity is one thing. But put them all together, and you got the situation we’re in now.”
It was hard to argue with him on that. But country life had given Felicity an unusual set of skills. Baking was her specialty, but she could ride and shoot just as well as the boys she’d grown up with. She’d given up most of it when her mother fell ill, compelled to take her place, but if Kade could shake off the rust and become a hunter, so could Felicity. And when it came to killing monsters, she thought she stood a chance just as she was—especially with Kade by her side, and a whole town full of people who would back them up if they knew what was needed.
That sparked an idea, and she cast him a coy look. “Nobody said we had to take it all on by ourselves, you know.”
Kade shook his head. “I’m not bringin’ anyone else into this mess.”
“You don’t have to. We just have to whittle this down to something we can handle, just the two of us. The police have been trying to find the rustling ring for a while. Why don’t we start by helping them find it? If we can get some of the lackeys out of the way . . .” she trailed off, smiling.
“Then du Coudray and his pet will be left vulnerable,” he concluded. He mulled that over for a time before the corners of his mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. “All right, so that’s not a bad idea. But how are we supposed to get the police involved without getting them after our hides? In case you’ve forgotten, you’re a runaway and I’m supposedly dead.”
More than supposedly dead, she thought ruefully, then chased that out of her head. “Well, we know where they feed that monster. I don’t think they’ll abandon William’s Woe just because they ran us off. They’ll probably just tell their boss about us and if he’s so full of himself to be using a fake vampire-sounding name, he’ll keep on as he is. Right?”
Kade nodded slowly.
“So all we have to do is find somewhere close by on the roads and watch for trailers with livestock. If we can get pictures of the vehicles that come and go, we can drop an anonymous report of suspicious activity.”
“That could work for us. Not sure how we’re supposed to avoid bein’ seen, though.”
“Well, we won’t be in the SUV, that’d be too obvious. We’ll park it somewhere and hike out to some brush where we can hide without being seen.” Felicity grinned, sheepish. “I’ll make sure not to wear a red coat, this time.”
“All right, all right.” He chuckled, the grim mood he’d carried since his call to Thaddeus finally giving way. “Those are good plans. Y’know, you might be cut out for this huntin’ thing, yourself. You’ve got the brains for it.”
The compliment made her flush. “You’d think of it yourself if you weren’t distracted.” He still hadn’t told her just what occupied his thoughts, either. She knew it wasn’t just a matter of being concerned for her. Even when they’d been attacked on the range at Marshall McCullough’s ranch, he’d controlled that without ever letting his worry show.
Kade didn’t reply, so she cleared her throat and went on. “So we can do that tomorrow, or maybe in a couple days to let what happened last night cool off. What do we do in the meantime?”
“Head back to the hotel, I suppose. Not much else we can do. In the morning, I’ll wrap up and we’ll head to the post office. Thaddeus said he was sendin’ me a cell phone so we could keep touch better.”
Felicity nodded. “Maybe I can call my dad after we pick it up, too.” She’d had every intention of contacting him right after they’d left, but the Keeper’s appearance at their motel room’s door had put a damper on that plan. She’d regretted it, but the longer she waited, the harder it was to pick up the phone.
By now, she had no doubts that Kade calling her a runaway was putting it mildly. Emmett would have contacted the police the moment he discovered her missing. Several days after the fact, she’d now be a missing person, plastered on local newspapers and working her way to national television. All bad news for their mission, but even worse for Kade. She didn’t know how much they could explain away if they were found together, him no longer bearing so much as a mark from the gunshot wounds he’d sustained
not even a week before.
“I know you miss him,” Kade said. “I never meant to pull you away from your family. Your responsibilities. I know this has gotta be hard.”
She forced a shrug, her shoulders stiff. “It needs to be done.” She’d had a lot of time to think about what she was doing while Kade slept, and while she realized it was crazy, she’d also convinced herself it was her only hope for salvaging her life back home. No matter what happened, her life wouldn’t be the same after that foreclosure notice.
Things would be rocky when she got back, but she’d have the money to save the Hilltop House, and trust between her and her father could be rebuilt no matter where they were. The family business wouldn’t be so easy to start over.
Never mind all the precious memories of her mother in that house. Living there was full of constant reminders of her mother’s vibrance; without them, Felicity feared her memories would fade.
And now, memories of her mother weren’t the only precious memories she had tied to home.
“Do we still have a chance?” The words escaped before Felicity knew what she was asking.
Evidently the question surprised Kade, too. He stopped the SUV and looked at her. It took a moment for her to realize they were back in the hotel parking lot.
“There’s always a chance, Filly,” he murmured. “As long as you’re willin’ to give me one.”
“I’m being realistic, Kade.” She laced her fingers together, holding her hands in her lap. “I never thought I wanted that much out of life. A chance to work for my living, work for myself, and a chance to have a family of my own. Even if you could stay after all this was over—even if you wanted to—how can we have any of that?”
His brows drew together, creasing with worry or pain; she couldn’t tell which. “There’s nothin’ to say we can’t try.”
Her mouth went dry as dust. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me and I’ve enjoyed our time together. If you want to leave when all this is over, I understand.”
“What kind of man would I be if I got you in my bed and then left you?”
“I don’t know,” she said, arching a brow. “What kind of man are you?”
His mouth worked without producing words.
Felicity lowered her eyes, resigned. The struggles of the past few days were heavy enough to be overwhelming. When she’d first walked into the suite and seen him alive—in a manner of speaking—she’d been overcome; what he was hadn’t mattered until his Keeper put it in front of her face, plain as day. Even if he weren’t a vampire, he was still a bounty hunter, scouting out creatures most thought were myths, ensuring it stayed that way. Asking him to stay meant asking him to give it up, when it was the one reason he’d changed, the sole driving purpose for his life. She couldn’t ask that of him.
“All right,” Kade said at last, unbuckling his seat belt and folding up the arm of his seat so he could turn sideways and face her. “Honestly, I don’t got a lot to offer. I can’t take you on those afternoon walks or Sunday picnics. I can’t give you any kind of normal life. I got money, for what that’s worth. But if you want me to go when this is over—if that’ll be easiest for you—then I will.”
“I’m not after your money.” She snorted, fighting back tears. “I mean, I want to save the Hilltop House, but . . . if that’s all you can offer me, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
He bristled visibly. “What do you mean?”
“You don’t have a reflection,” she whispered. “How could I think you’d feel anything for me? Vampires have no soul.”
His face darkened. “Please don’t think this heart of mine is worthless just ’cause it ain’t beating.”
It was the closest to an admission of feelings he’d come. The unspoken words slipping just beneath the surface made her heart swell, but she fought it. Letting him go was the answer that made sense. It was for the best. It had to be.
“And don’t think I’m sittin’ here with none of these problems ever crossing my mind,” he continued. “I’ve worked hard. I’ve sacrificed a lot. And I’ve never regretted what I’ve done, what I had to do, until now. Regrets change nothin’, Filly. I made these decisions and I gotta live with ’em. But the only thing worse is thinking of livin’ with ’em alone. You think I don’t have feelings because I got no reflection? I might’ve sold my soul for this job, but it still exists. And Lord, Filly, with the things you do to me, I can’t help thinkin’ that maybe it ain’t so lost. If anybody could win it back, I think it would be you.”
Felicity closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill over her dark lashes. Kade’s fingers wrapped around her clenched hands, his skin warm from the heater, belying his nature.
“But this is business, and we can keep it that way.” He squeezed her hands. “So if you want me to go when we’re done, I will.”
Relief flowed through her, stemming from his touch, blossoming in her chest and radiating warmth through her body. She looked at him, losing herself in the emotional depths of his hazel eyes. “I want you to come home with me, Kade.”
A hint of a smile formed on his lips. “I hope I can, but I ain’t gonna promise anything just yet. Don’t forget, we’ve still got work to do. And first things first, we gotta get through it alive.”
SEVENTEEN
* * *
THE POST OFFICE was quiet when they arrived. No one stood at the counter, though there was a bell. Kade didn’t give it a second look, cutting toward the metal boxes that lined the far wall. It was probably better they didn’t talk to anyone. They wouldn’t want to be remembered.
Though they hadn’t picked up a paper to be sure, they were reasonably certain that law enforcement would be looking for Felicity. It made their plan of involving police questionable, but as long as they were able to drop off their tips and photos without being seen, they should be all right.
Until then, they just had to lay low, hoping nobody looked close enough to recognize her—just in case her photo was making the rounds.
“Here it is,” Kade muttered, leaning forward to look at the front of the mail box. Felicity stayed close at his heels.
It appeared locked at first glance, but when he looked closer, he saw the thin piece of clear tape at the upper corner of the door. He pulled his keys from his pocket, hooking one beneath the tape to pull it free. The box door swung open, revealing the yellow padded envelope inside.
It was addressed to box 37, but instead of a name, the first line of the address read C/O Hunter Active. There was no return address, and no postage.
“How did he manage to get this through the postal system like that?” Felicity asked in a whisper.
Kade snorted, keeping his voice low. “When dealing with Keepers, you don’t ask questions. They don’t tend to answer them, anyway.”
He tucked the envelope inside his coat, making sure his scarf was pulled up to his eyes before they went back outside. They’d parked close, but the day was clear and sunny. Death by sun—real, permanent death—came quick, from what he understood. He didn’t want to find out how quick. Better to wrap up as a precaution. It was possible it’d only burn a little if he was exposed, but he wasn’t about to test it. Not when he’d only just gotten over a serious injury.
Felicity hopped into the passenger seat. He opened the back door, climbing in there instead of the front. The windows in the back were darkly tinted, giving him the freedom to safely uncover his mouth.
“Let’s see what we got.” Kade pulled the envelope out of his coat, digging a finger under the end and tearing it open. When he upended it, a small phone slid into his gloved palm. It was the most basic thing one could get, but it was on and active, the clock already set.
Felicity tilted her head. “A little primitive, isn’t it?”
“Doesn’t matter, so long as it works. Let’s find out, shall we?” He shifted enough to get the scrap of paper with his Keeper’s number on it out of the pocket of his jeans, passing it to her with the phone. “Dial that for
me, would you?”
She pressed the numbers, hitting dial right before she handed it back.
“Thank you." He shifted, glancing at the clock before holding the phone to his ear.
It rang four times before his Keeper answered. “I see you have your phone.”
“Yeah, after a slightly less than productive night.” Kade glanced up, catching Felicity’s eye. She looked worried. He flashed her a grin and a wink. “Got what I need?”
“Indeed. I will send you the address by text message when we’re done talking. I expect you know well enough to put a passcode on your phone.”
“Of course. What else do we need to talk about?” The plans Kade had worked out with Felicity over the course of the morning sat on the tip of his tongue, but he knew better than to launch into a tirade before Thaddeus was done.
“I’ve learned several things that may be of use,” the Keeper said. “For one, unless he’s sired any of his own, du Coudray will be the only vampire present. Judging from what I found in his file, he’s unlikely to have done such a thing.”
Good news; one vampire was going to be hard enough to deal with. “I’m relieved to hear that, not gonna lie.” Kade pulled the phone back for a moment, checking for a speaker option. There wasn’t one. He could catch Felicity up on the conversation later, but it would have been nice to involve her for the next part. He’d just have to make do on his own. “Any special directions?”
Thaddeus made a low sound of amusement. “Don’t be killed.”
“Not quite what I meant, but thanks.” Kade rolled his eyes, adjusting his hat. “Listen, Filly had an idea for how we oughta handle this. I think it’s pretty sound, but I know I need to run this by you before we do it. Might get sticky, and you might want to run cleanup after me.”
